Contact The Crisis Line | Volunteer Telephone Counselors available 24/7 in Jackson, MS

CRISIS LINE VOLUNTEER TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULED!

Our next CONTACT the Crisis Line training for Volunteer Telephone Crisis Counselors will begin on Saturday, August 10, 2024 and will continue for a total of four Saturdays (August 10th, August 17th, August 24th and September 9th). The time for each class is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You must attend all sessions to become a Certified Volunteer Telephone Crisis Counselor.

You may pre-register for training at the "Become a Volunteer" link on the menu above. The classes will prepare potential volunteer Crisis Counselors to handle calls from those who are troubled, stressed, and need someone to listen. Trainees will learn about the many issues facing callers, as well as the resources available to assist them.

THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TAKES PLACE AT OUR JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI LOCATION

Since 1971, the Crisis Line has been responding 24/7 to people who are troubled, stressed, and need someone to listen. CONTACT volunteers are available to callers who are experiencing everything from depression, loneliness, abuse, life with HIV, mental illness, sexual assault, grief – up to and including, thoughts of suicide. Callers are listened to and accepted, options are explored, and information and referrals are provided. Crisis Line work is a wonderful opportunity to share your concern and compassion for humankind. In 2012 CONTACT became part of the network of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and as of July of 2022 is the main 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center for 74 of the 82 counties in the state of Mississippi.

After completing the training, volunteers are asked to commit to serving 8 volunteer hours each month. Take this opportunity for a truly rewarding volunteer experience as you serve your community! If you have questions or need additional information, please call the Crisis Line business office at (601) 713-4099.

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Sometimes it is hard to talk about our problems with family and friends.

As trained crisis hotline specialists, CONTACT the Crisis Line volunteers are ready to provide compassionate, non-judgmental help for anyone in need of emotional support.

Call anytime. 601-713-4357 (HELP)

CONTACT received a prestigious award sponsored by Volunteer Mississippi and the Office of the Governor: The 2016 Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award for Outstanding Volunteer Initiative in Crisis Intervention.

Thank you VOLUNTEERS! This award belongs to each and every one of you for the incredible work you do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

CONTACT the Crisis Line now has ASIST Nationally Certified Suicide Prevention Trainers! Call 601-713-4099 for information on scheduling a 2-day workshop.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, can become an ASIST-trained caregiver. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 1,000,000 people have taken the workshop, and studies have proven that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings for those at risk.

Workshop features:

Presentations and guidance from two LivingWorks registered trainers
A scientifically proven intervention model
Powerful audiovisual learning aids
Group discussions
Skills practice and development
A balance of challenge and safety

ASIST has saved and changed hundreds of thousands of lives around the world.

OUR NEWEST SERVICE:
We are currently in a soft-launch phase of Lifeline Chat, offering online emotional support to those who are not comfortable talking on the telephone about their problems. They can now go online and "chat" with a trained volunteer who will listen and help explore feelings and options. The service is available for very limited hours at this time, but the hours will increase as we receive additional funding and train more Chat Specialists.

Click here to go directly to IM-IN-CRISIS.ORG

CONTACT the Crisis Line started as an interfaith ministry founded in 1971 by a group of mental health professionals and ministers who shared the conviction that no one should have to face life's challenges without a caring, objective listener. While no longer a interfaith ministry, today it continues as crisis line answering all calls unconditionally. CONTACT the Crisis Line serves as the states main 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center serving 74 of the 82 counties in MS.

Trained volunteers/paid staff are available by telephone to the public 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, and accept callers as they are. The volunteers/paid staff are caring listeners, help callers to consider alternatives, provide empowerment through information and referrals, offer hope where this is possible, and express their loving concern even to callers who cannot love themselves.

The Crisis Line intervenes in suicide threats, domestic violence, rape, and other endangerments to life and limb.

The volunteers/paid staff do not evangelize or try to convert callers. Calls are anonymous unless callers choose to identify themselves, and in any case, calls are confidential. The Crisis Line does not trace calls, use Caller ID, *69, or any such electronic means to obtain information about callers.

CONTACT the Crisis Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Mississippi. It is supported by contributions from businesses, charities, churches and individuals. All donations are tax deductible. To make a contribution, just click on the "Donate" button located to the left and follow the prompts, or send a check made payable to "Contact the Crisis Line" to the address below. Thank you!